Sports in Houston

[eastsider]

The NBA All-Star game will be held at the Toyota Center in Houston on Feb. 19, 2006. The weekends festivities are expected to bring in $79.6 million for the state of Texas. An estimated 25,000 out of state visitors are expected to come for the events spending an average of $317 per day for a total of $24.4 million. Counting people from Texas, about 60,000 people are expected to make their way to Houston for the All-Star weekend.

Major components of visitor spending include lodging ($6 million), restaurants ($5.2 million), merchandise and retail sales ($6.4 million), bars and entertainment ($4.7 million), and local transportation expenses ($2 million).

Houston Chronicle: NBA All-Star weekend to rake in cash

Houston Business Journal: NBA All-Star weekend expected to be economic boost for Texas

[eastsider]

Houston could be the new home for a Major League Soccer team next season. The MLS has given the owners of the San Jose Earthquakes approval to relocated to several cities, with Houston being one of them. The team could temporarily use stadiums at the University of Houston, Rice University, or the school districts' Del Mar Stadium, until a permanent home could be found. A decision on where the Earthquakes play next year will be reached within the next 30 days.

Meanwhile, the Bayou City isn't the only locale vying for an MLS team. Philadelphia; Milwaukee; Cleveland; Atlanta; and Tulsa, Okla. are all hoping to score a franchise as well.

Houston Business Journal: Houston in contention for MLS team

[eastsider]

Two groups from Houston are meeting with the owner of the San Jose Earthquakes about possibly buying the team which could lead to a relocation to Houston.

Houston Business Journal: Houston one step closer to scoring San Jose Earthquakes

[eastsider]

Article about the economic impact that the Houston Astros National League championship and World Series appearance. The value of the team was estimated at $357 million by Forbes magazine this year, that could jump to over $400 million next year. Higher revenues are expected from tv, radio, and advertisements. Attendance is also expected to be up next year, possibly 3.1 million compared to 2.8 million in 2005.

Houston Business Journal: Astros an economic home run for McLane

[eastsider]

Houston will be the new home of the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. Games will be played at Robertson Stadium at the University of Houston.

Houston Business Journal: Houston lands Major League Soccer franchise

[eastsider]

The owners of the relocating Earthquakes have reached a three-year deal to play at the University of Houston's Robertson Stadium, with a long term goal of building a public-private funded soccer stadium complex. They will also be holding some kind of "name the team" contest in the near future.

Houston Chronicle: MLS makes itself at home

[eastsider]

The new Houston MLS team could be looking to team up with the Houston Independent School District for a new dual-use stadium much like the Dallas Burn did with the Frisco ISD. The team should have a new name and logo by early January.

The new Houston team has already received more than 1,000 deposits of $50 each for season tickets, despite doing little marketing so far.

Houston Business Journal: Houston wins professional soccer franchise with a little bit of Luck

[Southernyank]

When the Complex is built for the team, how many stadiums or arenas will that make in Houston, that are still in use?

[eastsider]

It looks like the new Major League Soccer team will be called "Houston 1836", named after the year in which the city was founded. An annoucement is expected to be made at a news conference tomorrow. The team colors will also be revealed and are expected to be orange and black.

Houston 1836 beats out 12 other finalists, a list that included names such as Apollos, Bulls, Eagles, Gatos, Generals, Lone Stars, Mustangs, Stallions and Toros.

Houston Business Journal: Houston's MLS franchise considers new moniker

[eastsider]

http://houston.mlsnet.com/MLS/hou/

[eastsider]

The Houston Texans officially hired Gary Kubiak as the teams second ever head coach today. Kubiak is a Houston native and played college football at Texas A&M. He has spent the last 11 seasons as the Denver Broncos offensive coordinator which included two Superbowl championships in 1997 and '98.

[eastsider]

The owner of Houston 1836 will change the name of the team as it has caused protest from some Mexican-American groups.

In European tradition, the team was named after the year in which the City of Houston was founded -- 1836. That was also the same year in which Texas won its independence from Mexico in the Battle of San Jacinto -- a historical event which carries negative connotations for some in the Mexican-American community.

Houston Business Journal: Houston 1836 owner to boot newly coined MLS team name

[Southernyank]

Was anyone at the allstar game last night? It was a really great game and fun weekend. I flew to Houston on Thursday so I could enjoy all the events.

[eastsider]

The name of the new Major League Soccer in Houston has been changed from Houston 1836 to the Houston Dynamo.

[PghUSA]

I remember when they came out with the 1836 name and the guys on PTI were looking dumbstruck, naming a sports team after 4 digits?!? However, I find it a bit appalling to admit to changing the name because some foreign nation might be offended on when your state or city (in this case both) were founded?!? With all due respect to any nation that might feel that, get a grip.

Sorry to have to take this down a political road . . . actually they should be sorry they took this down a political road, shouldn't they? Anyway I have to run the French want Pittsburgh back to I have to plan it's handover back to Paris. Via con dios!

[dgreco]

don't mean to bump a topic, but I thought this was interesting, most sports when they are new to town do very well.

Sports in Houston.